General Chat

I think we have similar weather to you Mandy. Lots of rain and horrendous winds yesterday. We’ve only had a couple of showers this morning but it’s still very windy and it’s so cold. Last night it was like trying to sleep in a disco as the gusts of wind kept bringing on our security lights and our neighbour’s. Dratted things were on and off all night. Some of my tomato plants in pots were blown over and there are some big branches off the trees at the rec down the road but no serious damage.

Thank you for your kind weekend wishes EOS. I hope your weekend will be calm and peaceful too.

It might do you good to get away for a few days Frank. I am quite jealous as I would love a break away but no chance of that for us. I’d like to go and see my son and family but they are now hit by the extra restrictions in place for Leeds. They don’t live in Leeds. In fact they are a good few miles away but Leeds are the council for their area and all the rules for Leeds apply to them. We had a FaceTime call this morning which was good but it’s not the same as spending real time with them.

I hope OH starts to feel more comfortable soon AnnG. It must be difficult for you too. I expect you are half awake at night in case he needs you, particularly as your hearing is not too good.

I hope everyone else is OK at the moment. Take care and stay safe.

Anng was that supposed to be a pic of the cake you made or have you eaten all already as there was'nt a pic of it?

Still nice and sunny here :-P :-P :-P but a bit of a cold wind with it.

My poor little bantam was dead this morning so I am now down to two. :-( :-(

AnnG ‘s invented something very special - an invisible banana nut loaf :-D

Sorry to hear about little bantie Mel.

AnnG that cake must have been good there's not even a crumb left in the photo :-D

Oh Mel sorry you've lost little bantie :-(

Lol Annx emailed me and I sent it out again, you should have got it the second time. I definitely need more sleep.

Not a crumb here..........................................

...................nor here

Put your plates away girls doesn't look like there's any cake to be had today :-( :-D

Sorry dowstairs now Inwill send it out again tomorrow from the desk top.

It'll all be gone by then...........................

Been in the garden but the midges are around where I was working behind the shed so I have come in. Picked up a good dustbin liner of leaves off the decking by my pond and now thats behind the shed. Still loads to pick up though. Tired now so giving myself a little rest.

Love and wishes to Jane and hope she's having a good weekend. <3 <3 <3

Evening All,

I seem to be sleeping better with the darker evenings are here so I hope it carries on. We had a nice sunny morning and I had just decided to go for a short drive with my camera when it started raining. OH found himself another poorly attended footie match where he could stand well away from the few that were there so I had the afternoon to myself. Before he went he took down the bean poles and beans and cut off most of the tomato foliage. I picked 2 large basins of toms yesterday and there are still quite a few semi ripened ones so I will pick those over the next day or two and OH can clear those too. We are still getting courgettes faster than we can eat them, so after tomorrow's food delivery I will see if there's room in the freezers for some of them sliced up.

Your OH seemed to get on well at the osteopath's AnnG and I think it's usual to feel a bit worse at first. Maybe he could ask the chap to ease off a little next time as with being seized up (so to speak) for such an age, he needs freeing up gradually. Sorry if I'm making him sound hike the Tin Man that needs oiling! If only it was that simple. You must both be right out of any sleep pattern now and be exhausted. Thank you for the link you put up. It was interesting that we may not need to be as careful. I think while cases are still increasing I will be reluctant to change just yet.

Glad your foot is improving Vera. It must be a relief with how bad it was.

Frank, this appears to be instructions you need to set up an email for Ros.

https://www.bt.com/help/email/manage-email-account/account-set-up/how-do-i-create-and-activate-a-new-bt-email-address- :-)

I hope you enjoy lunch tomorrow. Did I say that alcohol is a stimulant and therefore a trigger for the attacks, as is caffeine, so be careful.

I see Mandy and Mel are getting their gardens ready for winter and my word it was really autumn like in temperature today. We want to cut the neighbour's overgrown ivy off our fence while he is away so OH can paint the top. As they have taken both cars this time to accommodate the dog's things, I want to jet wash the front path across the front of the bungalow while their cars aren't there.

The photography course I started on zoom yesterday was a tester for me. It is like learning a new language and I had to google some of the terms afterwards. It's making me use my brain and hopefully I'll be using my camera better soon as well. The tutor and group are all very helpful and friendly and we can email the tutor with questions too.

Isn't that landmine sniffer rat wonderful. He can search an area the size of a tennis court in 30 minutes that would take a human up to 4 days.

good morning. I had a better sleep last night but still fragmented. In the end I decided to close my door so I couldn't see the light as OH moved around. I worried about it and don't like sleeping with the door closed but I had to do something. It more or less worked and he didn't even realise I had closed it. He seems to have slept quite well but woke up very stiff again because of that.

Annx the photography course sounds interesting. What terms did you have to look up out of interest? I tried taking garden photos a couple of days back but the sun was too strong. You didn't say if you managed to get a landscape photo.

I think his osteopath is very gentle. Half the problem, I am sure, is age. :-( :-(

Morning Anng and all,

Another lovely morning here today. Sunshine and I think the wind has dropped bit and I am hoping its not quite as cold as it was yesterday.

Not been out yet but I must fill up the bird feeders today so please remind me? I forgot yesterday, naughty mummy, but they did get the crusts off our pasties and peanuts but no fat ball or seeds. I am getting a lot of different birds to some times of year. I get Norman Nuthatch, Berty Black Cap, Merlin Marsh Tit, Woody Woodpecker, Brian Blue Tit, Gerald Great Tit and old Sid Sparrow. Percy Pigeon watches me from the big ash tree and if I am on the patio he flies down and comes to the steps like Phil Peasant now and asks for corn.

Hope you all have this nice weather and can enjoy your gardens.

Sunshine Mel? What’s that? It’s cold (12 degs), grey, wet and windy. I think we bypassed autumn and went straight to winter. With no sun coming through the windows for a few days now the house is really cold. Matches my mood :-(

I am glad you got a bit more sleep last night AnnG. Try not to worry too much. If T. needs you in the night he’ll manage to wake you. You do need to get your rest. When do you go to the hospital for your BCC removal? Do you think your OH would be able to pick you up and bring you home afterwards? I think you said he could still drive.

I slept better last night as well. In fact I was so warm and comfortable that I didn’t want to get up. I had to force myself out of that cosy duvet. I’ve managed to get all our dinner prepared for later and OH is cleaning the bathrooms so I am now sitting down with my foot up.

Enjoy your meal out today Frank. You’ve sometimes said you just had a starter but try to eat a main course, even if you can’t manage anything else. We don’t want you fading away and it won’t help your anxiety attacks if you are under nourished, but the main thing is that you should enjoy going out and having some company. Ignore me if I am wittering on Frank, I’m just jealous as I haven’t seen my son since last October or eaten out since February. You enjoy it while you can in case we get shoved into full lockdown again.

I hope Jane is having a comfortable weekend and is able to eat a little. Sending love and hugs <3.

I hope too that fg’s daughter is now making a good recovery and that Island is OK.

I’m a bit concerned that we are not hearing much from Gill and hope that she isn’t still unwell or going through a stressful time again. Sending you a hug Gill <3

I think I’ll go and make us a hot drink. I’m feeling quite chilly and OH deserves a little bit of spoiling as he has been busy cleaning the bathrooms for me. Have a good day everyone.

Good morning all,

Not in the best place again today. Shakes and sweats, and generally feeling very low.

I think my lunch today will consist of a starter, and a CHILDS ROAST. I have no appetite at all. Last night our takeaway was an Indian. Ros said it was the BEST she had ever eaten (House Special Buttered Chicken) Where as I had a prawn Biriani, most of which went in the BIN. If it wasn't for Simon and Sally coming I would CANCEL.

Yes, I was amazed by the size of that RAT DETECTOR. He's worth his weight in gold. I am intrigued to know how they trained him to do it. MARVELLOUS !!!!

Reasonable sort of morning here today, Sun and lots of cloud, slight breeze, But no sign of rain clouds.

Theres a lot of Emails going round the village regarding "Maggies" Funeral. It looks like the village people, who wish to see her off, will line the Roads from the High street, up Stoke road and down CHURCH LANE. We will go and park in Carolyn drive and stand on the pavement with her and John. I don't know yet, if there will be a WAKE.

Did I tell you we have an INVITATION to the chaps funeral, who lived across the road. The reason being is that we will be able to take JOHN and PAT his next door neighbours. I think it's the first time, I have been invited to a funeral. you usually just turn up.


We are having a lot of trouble with our shower doors. One keeps popping of the top runner. I have spoken to Harvey, for him to pick a 900 mm shower cubicle with a compatable shower tray, as ROS said she would like one rather than the existing floor that was put down when I had my STROKE (16 years ago) with the drain situated where it is. Harvey thinks he will have to chanel out the floor to accommodate the exit drainage for the new one (MORE EXPENSE) But will be far better, than it is now.

Mel how lucky you are to have such an aray of birds visiting your garden. I know you have a LARGE GARDEN and feeding them will encourage more to come. I would love to see more birds in our garden. We have feeders all around, and they are kept topped up every few days. But we still only get the odd Blue Tit, the main birds being Sparrows and Starlings, with the odd wood pigeon.

Yes Ann I know that Alcohol is a stimulant, I will just have a pint with my meal. Sally, Simon and Ros don't drink, so they will have water or fruit juice.

Right, Back to the paper, and a Coffee. I haven't eaten today, so hopefully I will enjoy my meal. xxxx

Well we did have about 45 minutes out in the garden and OH managed to weild the lopper to remove the rambler branches that were out of control then I chopped them up for the garden bin. I also dead headed the Rudbeckia again and emptied one hanging basket that had gone well over. Some are still ok. Must put a few photos on the blog. you should have the photo of the banana loaf now.

Picked another load of runner beans and a handful of split tomatoes which I have made into a sauce. I have also prepped the meal for tonight which is roast chicken.

We had a slice of banana loaf with our coffee, OH had weetabix (2) with blueberries for breakfast so I don't suppose he will eat much lunch, his appetite is very poor and he has lost quite a bit of weight since we came back from daughter's. I am pretty sure it is his poor eating that has caused the weight loss but it is a bit worrying.

One problem we currently have is he has lost his house keys. As I am pretty sure they were used to let us into the house I am sure they are around somewhere but where, who knows?

Frank I hope that being with people you will manage at least some of the roast as I am sure you will have lost weight as well.

Sorry vera I forgot to answer this. My hospital appointment on the BCC on my face is at 2.15 on Thursday. If I don't feel like walking to the bus I can get a taxi. I don't usually suffer after these ops as the site is still frozen from the naesthetic but not sure how it will feel on my face. OH is only driving very short distances round the village.

Afternoon All,

A nice but cool morning here with plenty of sunshine. We had a chicken and ham, flakey pastry topped pie for lunch with the last of our beans, with cabbage carrot and also new pots for OH.

Mel that is a great assortment of birds you get and I loved your long tailed tits! I must get my bird boxes all put up this autumn. I think I need a new birdfeeder too as it is all badly rusted now.

I hope you manage to enjoy your meal out Frank. Just watch the coffee too if it's not decaff as that is a stimulant. You can see why now with these unpleasant attacks I no longer drink alcohol, just have decaff drinks and no big meals. All can trigger them. I can understand you having no appetite as I couldn't eat big meals when I was having them, but try little and often if you can. I never had the spider crawling sensations though. Did they say what was causing those?

Vera, you are lucky having a chap who cleans the bathrooms. Mine does the bathroom toilet (only he uses it so that seems fair) occasionally the bath and equally occasionally the bathroom floor. I'm glad you are getting a bit more mobile again, it gives you confidence each day will get a bit easier.

AnnG, I have been looking up some terms myself on the internet, things like a 'fast' film as I didn't know what it meant. The question I asked the tutor was what physically happens in a camera when you change the ISO as I had thought with the old roll films being different ISOs, it must be to do with the surface of the film the image falls on, but that digital cameras don't use film so I was perplexed. I understood the effect changing it had but didn't know how it did it. He has given me a paragraph of answer, but said he usually covers it in 6 hours of classroom so has asked me to let it sink in and get back to him! So how was that tasty looking cake?

Mandy I'm glad your son is settling back into the new job. OH was telling me how much more they need to know and learn about these days with H&S and of course Covid.

I'm getting fed up with the students who are whinging! It seems the freshers are the ones spreading the virus with their gatherings and have forgotten what the purpose of their time at uni is for. Does it really matter in the great scheme of things that they might need to spend a Christmas away from home. They are adults when it suits them but children when it doesn't. They should thank their lucky stars they have the opportunity. I didn't and I'm sure some still don't.

Yes, I was wondering if Gill was having more stress and headaches lately with the situation with Sandra. I hope she is ok. Also that Fg's daughter is doing well, that Island is ok and of course that Jane is ok and comfortable. <3

Cake looks nice Anng. was thinking of cooking some cakes this afternoon as I have so many eggs I need to use some up as Em's sister now has chickens and so does Henry her brother son. So none for Em's mum or her sister. Em gives a dozen to Ed's mum and dad. Em used to take all I could produce. Also us not having a big breakfast on a Sunday now thats three more that don't get used.

Work that one out if you can!!!...............

Wish my oh would clean the bathrooms he just makes them dirty.

I had the alternater out of the digger on the kitchen table yesterday as he was trying to fix it. Its now sitting on my three legged milking stool in the kitchen where I used it to get a thorn out of his foot the other day. My fault I should have put it away myself then it would'nt have been there for him to put his tools and bits on.

Annx I always understood that the ISO of films pre digital and if you set it on a digital is the speed of the film so that the darker the 'weather' the faster the film need to be. I used to use 100 film in summer/bright weather and 400 in dark days of winter. But it may be more complicated than that.

the banana loaf is very nice, moist and tasty..

I am fed up with the selfishness of the young uni students who (most of them it seems( think the world owes them a living. OK it is disappointing that freshers week is 'not the same' but the purpose of attending uni is to learn. Even self isolating they can do that. I am also fed up with the people who decided to put two fingers up to the rest of us by partying in the middle of York having thrown their toys out of the pram for having to leave the pub at 10PM.

Mel love your sweet peas they are gorgeous. Nice to have a glut of eggs, lots of people are keeping chickens now aren't they? Sorry to hear about your little bantam.

I am pleased that my OH has never brought tools or engine bits into the house. Electrical bits into his office maybe but that is all.